If you have been in a car accident that involves a commercial vehicle or truck, it is important to act quickly to preserve evidence found in the vehicle’s Event Data Recorder (EDR). This data provides invaluable insight about the vehicle’s speed, throttle and braking positions, and more, which can make your claim against the other driver much stronger. A Birmingham car accident lawyer can use this data to build a strong case on your behalf.
What EDR Data is and What it Can Tell You
According to 49 CFR Part 563, multipurpose passenger vehicles, light-duty trucks, commercial trucks, and passenger vehicles may have EDR devices installed. These devices are constantly reading and recording data about the vehicle’s operations and any sudden changes that might occur. In a crash, it can provide critical data about the moments before a crash, the crash itself, and any vehicle activity caused by the accident. Common data it tracks includes:
- Acceleration and deceleration shown through throttle percentage and braking
- The engine’s revolutions per minute (RPM)
- Vehicle speed
- Position of the steering wheel
- Change in the vehicle’s velocity, measured in terms of Delta-V
- Deployment of airbags and time needed to trigger them after the accident
- Seat belt use
- Vehicle’s position at the time of the crash
EDR devices capture important data from pivotal moments that can tell you what happened in the accident, how the driver and vehicle responded, and how the accident played out. It can also point to negligent driving. For example, if a vehicle’s EDR data noted that the vehicle was speeding when it should have been stopping at a traffic signal, this can indicate the driver’s role in the accident.
The Importance of Preserving EDR Data for Your Claim
Preserving EDR data for your claim is of the utmost importance after a collision. This data can be easily overwritten if there is new input from the vehicle, or the vehicle is destroyed after the collision. When you hire a lawyer, they can issue a spoliation letter to protect the evidence from being damaged or changed before the data has been retrieved. The data must also be extracted by professionals with specific tools before you can access it.
The Impact of EDR Data on Your Accident Claim
EDR data can strengthen your claim and give you an advantage during the claim process. EDR data can provide clarity and help you establish who is liable for the accident so you can hold them accountable. It can also help ensure that other parties are unsuccessful if they try to blame you for the accident. The data also provides concrete evidence that can be used to refute statements from opposing parties that do not align with the data.
This information, along with other forms of evidence, is critical for ensuring your case is as strong as it can be so you can secure any recoverable damages in a car accident that you are entitled to in your specific situation. Talk to a lawyer today to get started preserving evidence.